Spring Series of Readings for 2025
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is pleased to announce the spring series of readings across North Carolina, showcasing the fine work of our Distinguished Poets and the emerging poets they have been mentoring.
The western region reading will take place on Monday, April 7, at noon in the Student Union Auditorium of Western Carolina University as part of WCU’s annual Literary Festival, featuring Regional Coordinator Caleb Beissert and Distinguished Poet Mildred Kiconco Barya.
The central region reading will take place on Saturday, May 17, at 5 p.m. at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, featuring Regional Coordinator Sherry Siddall and Distinguished Poet Maria Roupail.
The Eastern Region reading will be on May 29th at 5pm at the Faulkner Gallery in the Joyner Library at ECU.
We encourage all poets and poetry lovers to attend these events and support the new lyric talent emerging in our midst. All events are free and open to the public.
New Gilbert-Chappell Mentees for 2025!
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is delighted to announce the following emerging poet mentees for 2025: In the Eastern Region, Amya Brown of Greenville, Hailey Long of Whiteville, Jude McDonald of Raleigh, and Kelsey Weimar of Greenville; in the Central Region, Akram Batikh of Raleigh; Jay Bryan of Chapel Hill, Zinnia Glee of Apex, and Vedika Zope of Lumberton; and in the Western Region, Lola Hays of Marion, Abi LeCureux of Sylva; Lauren Mills of Sherrills Ford, and Mark Spicknall of Pisgah Forest. Congratulations to these emerging poets, and good luck working with the Distinguished Poets in 2025.
2024 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Available
The 2024 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology, Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras, is now available. Special thanks to Eastern Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones for his superb work editing the anthology. To order a copy, click here.
New Distinguished Poet in the Eastern Region
We are delighted to welcome Gideon Young as the new Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet in the Eastern Region, appointed for the 2024-26 term by Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones. To read more on Gideon and his accomplishments, click here and scroll down to his picture and biography.
Gilbert-Chappell Readings in Spring 2024
The annual spring readings for Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series have been scheduled across the state during April, National Poetry Month. On Monday, April 1, at noon, the reading in the western region was held in the Student Union Auditorium at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee (see attached photo).
On Saturday, May 18, at 5 p.m., the reading in the central region took place at Fly Leaf Books in Chapel Hill (see attached photo).
And on Saturday, June 1, at 4 p.m., the GCDPS reading for the eastern region took place at renowned Fountain General Store in Fountain. Everyone is welcome to attend these free events. We encourage you to support the next generation of North Carolina poets!
2023 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Available
The 2023 issue of Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras, the yearly anthology published by the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Series, is now available. Special thanks to Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones for his wonderful work editing this volume, which includes poems by our three Distinguished Poets and their mentees from across the state. To purchase a copy, click here.
About the Series
This mentoring program links established poets in three regions of North Carolina with emerging poets, enabling them to develop and perfect their lyric craft. Students in middle school, high school, and college, and adults not in school may apply to work with a Distinguished Poet during the winter months. Our Distinguished Poets this year are: Anna Lena Phillips Bell in the eastern region, Grace Ocasio in the central region, and Ke3n Chamlee in the western region. In spring 2021, the resulting poems will be presented at group and individual readings at venues across the state. An anthology of these poems entitled Witness: Appalachia to Hatteras will be published by Saint Andrews University Press in late 2021. To read the brochure or apply for the program, click on the links below.
The Gilbert-Chappell Series Leadership
Our Regional Coordinators for 2023-24 are: Kelly Jones in the East, Sherry Siddall in the Center, and Caleb Beissert in the West. Thanks to these talented poet-leaders as we enter the new cycle of mentoring this coming winter and spring. David Radavich remains the overall Administrator of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series. He will be stepping down in 2025, and the new state-wide coordinator will be Michael Hettich.